Rockets Assign Marcus Morris to D-League

The Houston Rockets are sending first-round pick Marcus Morris to the team’s D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Morris will play with the Vipers when they take the floor this weekend. Per the Houston Chronicle: “With Marcus Morris sliding out of Kevin McHale’s rotation and the Rockets not scheduled for another practice until next week, the team will send the rookie to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday. ‘Fortunately, we’re a team it’s very hard to come in as a rookie and play,’ Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. ‘We like all our young players to go through a process before they get on the floor. Marcus is someone with very high level of talent and someone we feel will benefit greatly from playing and working on his game.’ With Patrick Patterson hurt, Morris had been working at power forward. Morey said that at RGV Morris will be able to play at small forward. ‘Our focus for Marcus is to work on his defense and his offense at the three,’ Morey said. ‘We feel he has ability to play both positions.’”